Abstract:

A mobile communication device includes a first plate, and a second plate
provided with guide rails on respective edges thereof and slidably
coupled to the first plate. A main body is coupled to the first plate and
a sub body is coupled to the second plate. Torsion springs are provided
on the first plate, adjacent to respective edges of the first plate.
Contact members are respectively provided at one end of each torsion
spring and each contact member contacts a corresponding guide rail due to
elasticity of the torsion spring. Guide slits are disposed in the first
plate, adjacent to respective edges of the first plate. Each guide slit
receives a corresponding contact member.

Claims:

1. A mobile communication device, comprising:a first plate;a second plate
provided with guide rails on respective edges thereof and slidably
coupled to the first plate;a main body coupled to the first plate;a sub
body coupled to the second plate;torsion springs provided on the first
plate, the torsion springs being adjacent to respective edges of the
first plate;contact members respectively disposed at one end of each
torsion spring and contacting a corresponding guide rail due to
elasticity of the torsion spring; andguide slits disposed in the first
plate, adjacent to respective edges of the first plate, each guide slit
to receive a corresponding contact member.

2. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the torsion springs
are riveted on the first plate, and each contact member is integrally
formed with the corresponding torsion spring.

3. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein each contact member
comprises:a cylindrical body contacting the guide rail, anda cylindrical
shaft that extends from a central portion of the cylindrical body and is
inserted into the guide slit.

4. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein each contact member
comprises:a cylindrical body contacting the guide rail, anda cylindrical
roller that extends from a central portion of the cylindrical body and is
inserted into the guide slit.

5. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein each contact member
comprises:a cylindrical body contacting the guide rail, anda cylindrical
shaft that has a wider diameter than the corresponding guide slit,
extends from a central portion of the cylindrical body, and is inserted
into the guide slit.

6. The mobile communication device of claim 5, wherein an in/out-hole is
disposed at a rear of each guide slit to selectively introduce the
cylindrical shaft into the guide slit.

7. A mobile communication device, comprising:a first plate;a second plate
provided with guide rails on respective edges thereof and slidably
coupled to the first plate;a main body coupled to the first plate;a sub
body coupled to on the second plate;a double-stepped torsion spring
provided at the center of the first plate;contact members respectively
disposed at each end of the torsion spring, each contact member
contacting a corresponding guide rail due to elasticity of the torsion
spring; andguide slits disposed in the first plate, adjacent to
respective edges of the first plate, each guide slit to receive a
corresponding contact member.

8. The mobile communication device of claim 7, wherein the torsion spring
is riveted on the first plate, and the contact members are integrally
formed with the torsion spring.

9. The mobile communication device of claim 7, wherein each contact member
comprises:a cylindrical body contacting the guide rail, anda cylindrical
shaft extending from a center of the cylindrical body and inserted into
the guide slit.

10. A mobile communication device, comprising:a first plate;a second plate
provided with guide rails on respective edges thereof and slidably
coupled to the first plate;a torsion spring disposed at a center of the
first plate;contact members respectively disposed at each end of the
torsion spring, each contact member contacting a corresponding guide rail
due to elasticity of the torsion spring; andguide slits disposed in the
first plate, adjacent to respective edges of the first plate, each guide
slit to receive a corresponding contact member.

11. The mobile communication device of claim 10, wherein a center of the
torsion spring is riveted on the first plate, and the contact members are
formed integrally with the torsion spring.

12. The mobile communication device of claim 10, wherein each contact
member comprises:a cylindrical body contacting the guide rail, anda
cylindrical shaft extending from a central portion of the cylindrical
body and inserted into the guide slit.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001]This application claims priority from and the benefit of Korean
Patent Application No. 10-2008-0002182, filed on Jan. 8, 2008, which is
hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth
herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]1. Field of the Invention

[0003]The present invention relates to a mobile communication device, and
more particularly, to a mobile communication device having a liquid
crystal display (LCD) screen on a sub body, which may slide to open or
close a main body.

[0004]2. Discussion of the Background

[0005]A mobile communication device may be classified according to its
physical appearance and operational method as a flip type, a folder type,
or a slide type.

[0006]In a flip type, an LCD screen and keypad are generally installed on
the main body and a cover is coupled with the main body by a hinge. The
cover may protect the keypad and the main body from being damaged and
also may prevent accidental operations.

[0007]In the folder type, a sub body (folder) is connected to the main
body by a hinge.

[0008]In the slide type, a first plate (moving plate) is attached to a sub
body, and a second plate (fixed plate) is attached to a main body
equipped with the keypad. The sub body may open or close the main body
when the first plate slides upward/downward (backward/forward) along the
second plate.

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional mobile communication
device, and FIG. 2 is a plan view in which a second plate of FIG. 1 is
sliding along the first plate.

[0010]Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the conventional mobile
communication device includes a main body 11, which is equipped with a
keypad and has various circuit components inside, and a sub body 12 that
slides on the main body.

[0011]A first plate 13 is fixed on the main body 11, and a second plate 14
is fixed on the sub body 12.

[0012]The second plate 14 is coupled to enable the sliding movement on the
first plate 13.

[0013]Torsion springs 15 are riveted to sides of the first plate 13 that
are adjacent to edges of the first plate 13, respectively.

[0014]One end of the torsion spring 15 is inserted into a connection hole
17 of respective moldings 16 (in the form of track rollers), and the
moldings 16 are inserted into insertion holes 18, respectively.

[0015]Guide rails 19, which the moldings 16 contact, are formed
longitudinally along the second plate 14.

[0016]In the conventional mobile communication device, the second plate 14
fixed on the sub body 12 slides in the arrow direction when a user pushes
the sub body 12 in the arrow direction. The moldings 16 contact the guide
rails 19 due to elasticity of the torsion spring 15, and as a result, the
second plate 14 may slide smoothly.

[0017]The conventional mobile communication device, however, may have a
difficult assembly process and weak durability when an end of the torsion
spring 15 is inserted into the connection hole 17 of the molding 16.

[0018]Moreover, foreign bodies may get stuck or collect on the guide rails
19 over time, which may interrupt the sliding movement of the molding 16
along the guide rails 19, thereby preventing the second plate 14 from
sliding. Consequently, it may not be possible to open/close the main body
11.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019]The present invention provides a mobile communication device in
which a sub body may smoothly slide to open and close a main body even if
foreign bodies get stuck or collect on the guide rail of the second
plate.

[0020]The present invention also provides a mobile communication device
having an improved torsion spring, a simplified assembly procedure, and
reduced production costs.

[0021]Additional features of the invention will be set forth in the
description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the
description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

[0022]The present invention discloses a mobile communication device
including a first plate, a main body coupled to the first plate, a second
plate provided with guide rails on respective edges thereof and slidably
coupled to the first plate, a sub body coupled to the second plate,
torsion springs provided on the first plate, adjacent to respective edges
of the first plate, contact members respectively provided at one end of
each torsion spring, and guide slits. Each contact member contacts a
corresponding guide rail, and each guide slit is disposed in the first
plate adjacent to respective edges of the first plate and receives a
corresponding contact member.

[0023]The present invention discloses a mobile communication device
including a first plate, a main body is coupled to the first plate, a
second plate provided with guide rails on respective edges thereof and
slidably coupled to the first plate, a sub body coupled to the second
plate, a double-stepped torsion spring provided in the center of the
first plate, contact members respectively provided at each end of the
torsion spring and contacting a corresponding guide rail due to
elasticity of the torsion spring, and guide slits disposed in the first
plate, adjacent to respective edges of the first plate. Each guide slit
receives a corresponding contact member.

[0024]The present invention also discloses a mobile communication device
including a first plate, a main body coupled to the first plate, a second
plate provided with guide rails on respective edges thereof and slidably
coupled to the first plate, a sub body coupled to the second plate, a
double-stepped torsion spring disposed on the center of the first plate,
contact members disposed at each end of the torsion spring and contacting
a corresponding guide rail due to elasticity of the torsion spring and
guide slits disposed in the first plate, adjacent to both edges of the
first plate. Each guide slit receives a corresponding contact member.

[0025]It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description
and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and
are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026]The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further
understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a
part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and
together with the description serve to explain the principles of the
invention.

[0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional mobile communication
device.

[0028]FIG. 2 is a plan view in which the second plate of FIG. 1 slides up
and down along a first plate.

[0029]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a mobile communication device
according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0030]FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are plan views in which the second plate slides on
a first plate.

[0031]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the torsion spring and the contact
member of FIG. 3.

[0032]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the contact member of FIG. 3.

[0033]FIG. 8 is a plan view of a mobile communication device according to
a second exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which a second plate
slides along a first plate.

[0034]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the contact member of FIG. 8.

[0035]FIG. 10 is a plan view of a mobile communication device according to
a third exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which a second plate
slides along a first plate.

[0037]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a contact member of FIG. 10.

[0038]FIG. 13 is a plan view of a mobile communication device according to
a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which a second plate
slides along a first plate.

[0039]FIG. 14 is a plan view of a mobile communication device according to
a fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which a second plate
slides along a first plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0040]The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to
the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are
shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms
and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth
herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is
thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those
skilled in the art. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of
layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like reference
numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

[0041]It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to
as being "on" or "connected to" another element or layer, it can be
directly on or directly connected to the other element or layer, or
intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an
element is referred to as being "directly on" or "directly connected to"
another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers
present.

[0042]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a mobile communication device
according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention and FIG. 4
and FIG. 5 are plan views in which a second plate slides on a first
plate. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a torsion spring and a contact
member, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a contact member of FIG.
3.

[0043]Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7, the mobile
communication device, according to the first exemplary embodiment of the
invention, includes a first plate 120, a main body 110 fixed to the first
plate 120, a second plate 140 slidably coupled to the first plate 120 and
provided with guide rails 141 on both edges of one side thereof, a sub
body 130 fixed to the second plate 140, torsion springs 150 provided on
one side of the first plate 120, adjacent to respective edges of the
first plate 120, contact members 160 (in the form of a track roller)
respectively provided at one end of each torsion spring 150, and guide
slits 170 to receive a corresponding contact member 160. Each contact
member 160 contacts a corresponding guide rail 141 due to elasticity of
the torsion spring 150, and the guide slits 170 are formed in the first
plate 120 adjacent to respective edges of the first plate 120 to guide
the movement of the contact member 160.

[0044]An input keypad and various circuit components may be installed
inside the main body 110. The first plate 120 is fixed to the main body
110.

[0045]The sub body 130 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, and
the second plate 140 is fixed to the sub body 130.

[0046]The second plate 140 is installed above the first plate 120 with a
gap therebetween and respective edges of the first plate 120 are coupled
to slide bars 142 of the second plate 140.

[0047]Referring to the above-mentioned figures, the second plate 140 may
slide in the longitudinal direction (in the arrow direction), and the sub
body 130, which is fixed to the second plate 140, may open or close the
main body 110.

[0048]Each torsion spring 150 is riveted on the first plate 120 and
adjacent to an edge of the first plate 120, and the corresponding contact
member 160, which is provided at one end of the torsion spring 150, may
be formed by insert molding.

[0049]The contact member 160 may include a cylindrical body 161 contacting
the guide rail 141, and a cylindrical shaft 165 extending from the center
of the cylindrical body 161 and inserted into the guide slit 170.

[0050]The contact member 160 may be made from durable materials like
plastic substances or aluminum.

[0051]Since the cylindrical body 161 contacts the guide rail 141, the
cylindrical body 161 should have a smooth surface to provide for smooth
sliding of the second plate 140.

[0052]The cylindrical shaft 165 is inserted into the guide slit 170 and
may stick out of the guide slit 170 as long as it is not extracted from
the guide slit 170 when the second plate 140 slides.

[0053]In the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when a
user pushes the sub body 130 upward or downward in the arrow direction,
the second plate 140 fixed on the sub body 130 slides in the arrow
direction. The cylindrical body 161 of each contact member 160 contacts
the corresponding guide rail 141 due to elasticity of the corresponding
torsion spring 150, and the sub body 130 may smoothly open or close the
main body 110.

[0054]Although foreign bodies may get stuck and collect on the guide rails
141 over time, the sub body 130 may smoothly open or close the main body
110 because the contact member 160 may move backward in the arrow
direction when the sub body 130 slides.

[0055]The torsion spring 150 and the contact member 160 may be integrally
formed since the contact member 160 may be formed on the torsion spring
150 by insert molding. As a result, the assembly process may be easy and
the durability may be much improved.

[0056]FIG. 8 is a plan view of a mobile communication device according to
a second exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which a second plate
slides along a first plate, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the
contact member of FIG. 8.

[0057]Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the mobile communication device
according to the second exemplary embodiment, includes a first plate 220,
a main body 110 fixed to the first plate 220, a second plate 240 provided
with guide rails 241 adjacent to both edges of one side thereof and
slidably coupled to the first plate 220, a sub body 130 fixed to the
second plate 240, torsion springs 250 provided on one side of the first
plate 220, adjacent to respective edges of the first plate 220, contact
members 260 respectively provided at one end of each torsion spring 250
and contacting a corresponding guide rail 241 due to elasticity of the
corresponding torsion spring 250, and guide slits 270 formed in the first
plate 220. The contact members 260 are inserted into the respective guide
slits 270, which are adjacent to respective edges of the first plate 220,
to provide for smooth movement of the contact member 260. The contact
member 260 may include a cylindrical body 261 having a top shaft and
contacting the guide rail 241, and a cylindrical roller 265 extending
from the top shaft of the cylindrical body 261 and rotatably inserted
into the guide slit 270.

[0058]The mobile communication device according to the second exemplary
embodiment of the invention is characterized by the cylindrical roller
265 of the contact member 260 being inserted rotatably in the guide slit
270.

[0059]The cylindrical roller 265 of the contact member 260 may be inserted
in the guide slit 270 and may have a smooth surface to provide for smooth
sliding of the second plate 240. The cylindrical roller 265 of the
contact member 260 may stick out of the guide slit 270 as long as it is
not extracted from the guide slit 270.

[0060]When a user pushes the sub body 130 upward or downward in the arrow
direction, the second plate 240 fixed on the sub body 130 slides in the
arrow direction. The cylindrical body 261 of the contact member 260
contacts the guide rail 241 due to the elasticity of the torsion spring
250 and the sub body 130 may smoothly slide to open or close main body
110.

[0061]Although foreign bodies may get stuck and collect on the guide rail
241 over time, the sub body 130 may slide smoothly because the contact
member 260 may move backward in the arrow direction when the sub body 130
slides. The cylindrical roller 265 can rotate inside the guide slit 270
and so the sub body 130 may open or close the main body 110 more
smoothly.

[0062]The contact member 260 and the torsion spring 250 may be made
integrally formed since the contact member 260 may be formed on the
torsion spring 250 by insert molding. As a result, the assembly process
may be easier and the durability may be much improved.

[0063]FIG. 10 is a plan view of a mobile communication device according to
a third exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein a second plate
slides along a first plate. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a contact
member of FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a contact
member of FIG. 10.

[0064]Referring to FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12, the mobile communication
device according to the third exemplary embodiment includes a first plate
320, a main body 110 fixed on the first plate 320, a second plate 340
provided with guide rails 341 on both edges of one side and slidably
coupled to the first plate 320, a sub body 130 fixed on the second plate
340, torsion springs 350 provided on one side of the first plate 320,
adjacent to the respective edges of the first plate 320, contact members
360 respectively provided at one end of each torsion spring 350 and
contacting a corresponding guide rail 341 due to elasticity of the
respective torsion spring 350, and guide slits 370. The contact members
360 are inserted into the guide slits 370 formed in the first plate 320
and adjacent to respective edges of the first plate 320, to provide for
smooth movement of the contact members 360. The contact member 360 may
include a cylindrical body 361 contacting the guide rails 341, and a
cylindrical shaft 365 having a wider diameter D2 than the diameter D1 of
the guide slit 370 and extending from the center of the cylindrical body
361 and inserted into the guide slit 370.

[0065]An in/out-hole 371 may be formed in the guide slit 370 to
selectively introduce the cylindrical shaft 365 into the guide slit 370.

[0066]The in/out-hole 371 may be placed where the contact member 360
cannot be accidentally extracted from the guide slit 370 while moving
along the guide slit 370, for instance at a rear part of the guide slit
370.

[0067]According to the third exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, when a user pushes the sub body 130 upward or downward in the
arrow direction, the second plate 340 fixed on the sub body 130 slides in
the arrow direction. The cylindrical body 361 of the contact member 360
contacts the guide rail 341 due to the elasticity of the respective
torsion spring 350, and the sub body 130 may smoothly open or close the
main body 110.

[0068]Although foreign bodies may get stuck and collect on the guide rail
341 from the long-time usage, the sub body 130 may slide smoothly because
the contact member 360 may move further backward in the arrow direction
when the sub body 130 slides.

[0069]Referring to the mobile communication device according to the third
exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cylindrical shaft 365 may not
be accidentally extracted from the guide slit 370 when the sub body 130
slides. The reason is that the cylindrical shaft 365, having a wider
diameter D2 than the diameter D1 of the guide slit 370, is inserted in
the guide slit 370.

[0070]To insert the cylindrical shaft 365 of the contact member 360 in the
guide slit 370, the cylindrical shaft 365 of the contact member 360 may
be inserted into the in/out-hole 371 by pressing the end of the torsion
spring 350. By releasing the pressed end of the torsion spring 350, the
cylindrical shaft 365 may be elastically inserted into the guide slit 370
due to the elasticity of the respective torsion spring 350.

[0071]FIG. 13 is a plan view of a mobile communication device according to
a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention in which a second plate
slides along a first plate.

[0072]Referring to FIG. 13, the mobile communication device, according to
the fourth exemplary embodiment, includes a first plate 420, a main body
110 fixed on the first plate 420, a second plate 440 provided with guide
rails 441 on respective edges of one side and slidably coupled to the
first plate 420, a sub body 130 fixed on the second plate 440, a
double-stepped torsion spring 450 provided at the center of the first
plate 420, contact members 460 provided at both ends of the
double-stepped torsion spring 450 and contacting respectively
corresponding guide rails 441 due to elasticity of the double-stepped
torsion spring 450, and guide slits 470. The contact members 460 are
inserted into respective guide slits 470, which are formed in the first
plate 420, adjacent to respective edges of the first plate 420, to guide
the movement of the contact member 460.

[0073]The double-stepped torsion spring 450 may be riveted on the first
plate 420, and the contact members 460 may be formed at the ends of the
double-stepped torsion spring 450 by insert molding.

[0074]When a user pushes the sub body 130 upward or downward in the arrow
direction, the second plate 440 fixed on the sub body 130 slides in the
arrow direction. The cylindrical bodies 461 of the contact members 460
contact the guide rails 441 due to the elasticity of the double-stepped
torsion spring 450, and the sub body 130 may slide smoothly to open or
close the main body 110.

[0075]Referring to the mobile communication device according to the fourth
exemplary embodiment of the invention, the double-stepped torsion spring
450 is installed at the center of the first plate 420 and whole assembly
process may be minimized by eliminating the riveting procedure.

[0076]FIG. 14 is a plan view of a mobile communication device according to
a fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein a second plate
slides along a first plate.

[0077]Referring to FIG. 14, a mobile communication device according to the
fifth exemplary embodiment includes a first plate 520, a main body 110
fixed to the first plate 520, a second plate 540 provided with guide
rails 541 on both edges of one side and slidably coupled to the first
plate 520, a sub body 130 fixed to the second plate 540, a double-stepped
torsion spring 550 provided at the center of the first plate 520, contact
members 560 provided at respective ends of the double-stepped torsion
spring 550 and contacting corresponding guide rails 541 due to elasticity
of the double-stepped torsion spring 550, and guide slits 570. The
contact members 560 are inserted into respective guide slits 570 formed
in the first plate 520, adjacent to respective edges of the first plate
520, to guide the movement of the contact member 560.

[0078]The center of the double-stepped torsion spring 550 may be riveted
at the center of the first plate 530, and the contact member 560 may be
formed on both ends of the double-stepped torsion spring 550 by insert
molding.

[0079]In the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when a
user pushes the sub body 130 upward or downward in the arrow direction,
the second plate 540 fixed on the sub body 130 slides in the arrow
direction. The cylindrical body 561 of the contact member 560 contacts
the guide rail 541 due to the elasticity of the double-stepped torsion
spring 550, and the sub body 130 will slide smoothly to open or close the
main body 110.

[0080]Referring to the mobile communication device according to the fifth
exemplary embodiment of this invention, a double-stepped torsion spring
550 is installed at the center of the first plate 520 and the contact
members 560 are formed on both ends of the double-stepped torsion spring
550. As a result, the whole assembly process may be reduced by
eliminating the numbers of the torsion springs and riveting procedures.

[0081]It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without
departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended
that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this
invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.